Now Women vs Au Soleil: Which Rave Perfume Is Better for Hot Weather in Penang?

If you're in Penang and the heat has you wondering which perfume to reach for, Rave has two 100ml EDPs worth comparing: Now Women and Au Soleil. Both are eau de parfum and both come in 100ml, so concentration and size won't decide it for you — the notes will. One leans sweet and feminine, the other is bright, citrusy and unisex. Here's how they stack up.

Now Women: sweet, fruity and playful

Now Women is Rave's EDP for women, and its fragrance family tells you the story straight away: fruity, white floral and gourmand. It opens with juicy red fruits and orange, moves into a heart of marshmallow, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley, and settles on a base of vanilla, moss and musk. So yes, this is the sweeter bottle of the two.

The occasions listed for it are casual, formal, everyday and special occasion, so it's flexible — wear it out for dinner in Georgetown, to a formal event, or just on a normal day when you want something with a bit of personality. In Penang's heat, a sweet gourmand reads richer than a citrus scent, so pick this one if you like your fragrance to feel noticeable and cosy rather than light and clean.

Au Soleil: citrus, clean and unisex

Au Soleil is a unisex 100ml EDP with a floral fruity family and a profile built around sunny days. The top brings citrus, fresh herbs and fruity notes, the heart blends soft florals with smooth woods, and the base settles into musk, warm woods and soft sweetness. The store describes it as fresh, bright and clean, with a trail suitable for Malaysia's climate — exactly what you want to hear when you live somewhere hot and humid.

Its listed occasions are daily wear, office, casual and gym, so this is the easy grab-and-go bottle. Think air-conditioned office mornings, weekend errands around the island, or a gym session when you want to smell fresh without anything heavy following you around.

Which one should you pick?

Since both perfumes are the same concentration and size, your choice really comes down to mood and who's wearing it:

• Go for Now Women if you want a sweet, fruity-floral EDP for women — something with marshmallow and vanilla warmth that still works for everyday wear and special occasions.
• Go for Au Soleil if you want a unisex, citrus-fresh scent for daytime — office, gym, casual plans — especially in Malaysia's hot weather.

If you share perfume with a partner, or you find sweet scents too much in this climate, Au Soleil's unisex citrus profile makes it the safer pick. But if sweetness is your thing, Now Women wins that category, no contest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which one is better for hot weather in Penang?

Au Soleil is described as fresh and clean with a trail suitable for Malaysia's climate. Now Women is sweeter and richer, so it suits you if you prefer a fruity, gourmand style even in the heat.

Is Au Soleil only for men?

No, Au Soleil by Rave is a unisex 100ml EDP. Its citrus and fresh profile works for anyone who likes a clean, bright daytime scent.

What size and concentration are these Rave perfumes?

Both come as 100ml eau de parfum. That means the real difference is in the notes: Now Women is fruity, white floral and gourmand, while Au Soleil is floral fruity with a citrus opening.